Ascending: rising or increasing to higher levels, values, or degrees
Butterflies: The change from caterpillar though to the chrysalis and emergence as a butterfly is the greatest change in the animal world. It symbolises significant change in the course of one’s life, personality or way of thinking.
Putting them together brings us on an upwards journey of change and transformation, isn't that what we all strive for?

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Friday, October 2, 2015

New York Botanical Gardens Family Dinner With Del Posto Restaurant Chef Matt Abdoo

Global Gardens - The Edible Academy, New York Botanical Garden

If the Farm to Table Movement is a lifestyle you wish to adopt, then do I have a Foodie Friday for YOU!

The New York Botanical Garden offered a series of Family Dinners this summer that featured Eataly Chefs for an outdoor three-course family meal made by some of the finest chefs New York City has to offer!

The Edible Academy at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York

Gourmet meals with a twist that even kids could enjoy were on tap featuring chefs from Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich's restaurants to support the NY Botanical Garden Edible Academy. Thanks to a recent donation drive in honor of CEO Gregory Long's 25 years with the nonprofit, a $28 million dollar donation to the board allowed the garden to establish a year-round Edible Academy, teaching 80,000 families and children about gardening and nutrition onsite!

The dinners allow attendees to learn from the pros with cooking demonstrations, crafting and gardening activities. I got to attend the last dinner in the series with Chef Matt Abdoo of Del Posto Restaurant and Chef Melissa Rodriguez in New York City.

Photo Highlights:

Before the dinner was served there was various stations to keep everyone engaged before the cooking demonstration and sit down dinner outdoors.

There was a create your own Apron Station! (I skipped this one, I have a ton of them and I never use them!) But kids really seemed to dig this station and it was fun watching them at work.

There was a create your own Italian Dressing Station (chock full of Garden Fresh Herbs!)

There was a Plant your Basil Station (I LOVED this! My Great-Grandmother was the one with the hand for Gardening, and doing this made me think of her) - And I am Proud to report my Plant is doing fine and well so far! When I cut my first pieces from it and incorporate it into a recipe I will post a photo for sure!

I will bet this Basil will always taste sweeter because I planted it myself!

The path towards the event showed off various gardens and I just had to nab shots of those!

Korea Garden - The Edible Academy, New York Botanical Garden

Ireland Garden - The Edible Academy, New York Botanical Garden

Italy Garden - The Edible Academy, New York Botanical Garden

I got shots of AND with Chef Matt Abdoo:

Above: Chef Matt Abdoo of Del Posto Restaurant in New York City leads Family Dinner Cooking Demonstrations at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York in support of The Edible Academy. A shout out to Whole Foods, they were one of the event sponsors!

Above: Stoked that I could nab a shot with the chef! (I arrived super early in hopes that I could)

Above: Annie Novak of The New York Botanical Garden kicked off the dinner. And I have to add that her Frida Kahlo socks are ON POINT!!!

Above: Had to nab a shot of my place setting of course!

The Menu:

First Course (Primi)

Above: Grilled Peaches, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Burrata Salad (this was AWESOME, I so wish 'Tastovision' was a thing!)

Second Course (Secondi)

Marinated Grilled Flank Steak with Salsa Verde

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Slow-Cooked Rainbow Chard

Dessert Course (Dolci)

Tiramisu (We discussed an 'adult version' where you soak the lady fingers in alcohol that I am TOTALLY going to try for myself! Well technically when the idea came up that you don't just have to just soak the lady fingers in coffe, I may have ASKED directly about soaking mine is a certain Spirit instead (I'm not naming it until I try out the recipe for myself! Stay thirsty my butterflies!)

The Wine Pairings:

Of course I have to share the wines that were offered to pair with the meal:

Above: Leone de Castris Verdeca Bianco Messapia 2009, Red Wine - You guys know I have trouble with finding balanced Red Wines that aren't so tannins heavy that they make me have that suck the roof of my mouth reaction to it, this one was PERFECT. I finally found a red I truly enjoy! The waiter was sweet enough and patient enough to hold all the bottles up so I could nab a shot of them!

Above: Altesino Toscana Rosso 2013, White Wine

Above: 2014 Brancato Rosato Il Poggione Rosato di Toscana, Rose Wine

MY TAKE:

A Family Dinner isn't fun without family, so I brought Mama Butterfly along:

Above: Left: Mama Butterfly and Right: ME! Ascending Butterfly enjoying a beautiful Family Dinner at New York Botanical Garden, for those fashionistas who want to know, the blouse is by Calvin Klein and the necklace is by Silpada!

It was so perfect that I got to attend the final dinner in the series, it was a bit after Fashion Week and it was the perfect way to wind down from a chaotic week. If you arrive well before the dinner, you can stroll the Garden, hit the gift shop and check out what the Garden has to offer. This is actually a limited seating event, so you want to book early and if you are a big group, arriving early would help ensure that your party is seated together. Because they allow children and we all know children have short attention spans, be patient and try to sit up front if you can, but know they may 'roam the aisles' if their parents allow them to (I wish parents wouldn't allow the kids to roam around during the demo). I have to give special props to Chef Abdoo, he is incredibly patient/good with children! Next summer I hope the entire series lines up with my schedule!

And if they are reading: As a single girl in the city with no kids, I wouldn't get mad at a 'singles' version of this dinner. A no kids allowed version, just saying......

Call to Action/Readers Sound Off: Where do you stand in the Farm to Table Movement? Do you already or would you consider growing your own food?

FTC Disclosure: All opinions are 100% MY OWN. this post is NOT compensated. I received Press Seating to the Family Dinner for Editorial Consideration. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

I love those little stations where you could make your own food! I'd have a blast making my own dressing! Farm to table is always the best way to eat. This sounds like a very fun and educational event!

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About Me:

Ascending Butterfly is a LIFESTYLE Blog. While it's Founder/Editor is in full possession of a Uterus, she doesn't choose to use it, keep that in mind before hitting send on your next pitch. We focus on Travel, Spirits, All things Foodie, Photography, Beauty, Fashion, Eco Friendly, with a mind, body,and soul approach to wellness and well-being.